Nico Hulkenberg has paid homage to the Sahara Force India F1 on the eve of his final race with the team.

Hulkenberg was handed an F1 lifeline by team boss Vijay Mallya at the end of 2010, when he was dropped by Williams, and while the German has now decided to move on, and will race for Sauber in 2013, he remains grateful and pleased with what he has achieved with the Silverstone-based outfit.

“First of all I want to thank everyone for believing in me and giving me the chance to return to F1 this year as a race driver. I've learned a lot during the last two seasons, even as a third driver [in 2011], and the time has flown by very quickly,” he remarked ahead of this weekend's F1 2012 finale in Brazil.

“It's a great team of people; they're fun to work with and I think we can be proud of the results we achieved together.

“That's why it was not an easy decision to leave, but I'm happy to be leaving with good memories. The task now is to end the year in style with a great result at Interlagos.”

Hulkenberg added another four points to his season tally in Austin last Sunday and looking back on 2012, he added he has been pleased with how things have gone.

“It has been very positive. We had some good results in the first half [of the year], but I think we found our consistency after the summer break,” he continued

“I think some of my best races were Japan and Korea where we didn't necessarily expect to do so well. To score points there was very satisfying. Also, races such as Austin, where I was under so much pressure towards the end are the moments I will remember from the second part of the year. These were races where we maximised everything.”

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I still don't understand this move. Nico isn't moving up the grid, or even down it, he's going sideways! With the departure of James Key and all of Perez's sponsorship money I don't think Sauber will be able to carry 2012's pace into 2013.
The only way I can make sense of it is by hearing the rumours that it was a deal brokered by Ferrari, as a part of a long term contract to race for them some time in the future.

Mexican sponsors won't leave Sauber until 2014 and probably the full sponsor will go to McLaren in 2014 season. One of the reasons McLaren signed Perez is Carlos Slim’s sponsor.
I'm 100% sure now Esteban Gutierrez will be partner with Nico in 2013. However, I think Sauber team 2013 spending will be less than 2013. Carlos Slim sponsor Esteban Gutierrez too but Perez family is close family friend.
Monisha is lying about Kobayashi has chance to retain his seat at Sauber when Sauber is secretly agreed second driver seat to give Esteban Gutierrez and signed Nico Hulkenberg. Sauber knew Kobayashi will be difficult to find sponsor.
Obviously, Peter Sauber think Nico Hulkenberg is better than Kobayashi. He may be listening too much from F1 media.
I believe Perez backer has spending own money on Perez car. Remember, only Perez car is strong in almost every race and rarely has major problem in his car. If Esteban Gutierrez got Perez garage and Nico got Kobayashi garage and then Nico will be re